Kaiser Racing Kennel - Bethel, Alaska

Pete and His Dogs

Peter Kaiser, 22, was born and raised in Bethel, Alaska. He graduated from Bethel High School in 2005 and has worked on a tug boat for bering marine corporation for the last two years. He says, “Our family has always had dogs, and I’ve been mushing since I was a kid. Watching the Kuskokwim 300 every January sparked my interest in long distance racing, and a few years ago, I decided that I would give the Iditarod a try.” Peter says he enjoys boats and the great outdoors.

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-From the Iditarod Website, By Joy Davis, Educational Journalist, IN

Peter Kaiser of Bethel, Alaska has been running dogs ever since he was big enough to stand on the runners of a sled. Pete has learned about dogs and racing from his dad and his good friend, Ed Iten. Life experience has also been beneficial.

In the summer Pete works on the tug boat “Arctic Gull.” Pete said, “It’s a 48’ tug and we push a 150’ x 50’ barge up and down the Kuskokwim River.” The job is over for the season when the river freezes. Then it is time to get busy with the dogs.

The costs involved with owning a dog team are increased due to the geographical region in which Pete lives. It is expensive to ship food and supplies to this area. Pete is fortunate to have a few sponsors and his job to help cover his costs. New sponsors, including race fans, are always welcome.

The area in which he lives is also a great training area. Pete said, “This area is notorious for bad weather and even worse trail conditions more often than not. I’ve been told by many to seek out bad trails. I usually don’t have to look very far.”

Pete’s qualifying races for the Iditarod were the Kuskokwim 300, Tustumena 200, and Kobuk 440. These races taught Pete a lot about his dogs including their tolerances and abilities. He said, “It gave me a better idea of what to look for in a long distance sled dog.”

In addition to the mandatory items, Pete plans to carry with him food and drinks that are high in carbs and protein. He might take an IPod to help keep him awake. He will use a ski pole to help push the sled. Pete is preparing for the challenge of managing and caring for a team of dogs on a solo journey. His goal is to finish the race by staying focused and healthy (the dogs, too).